Deception and Intimidation to Gain Power over others is Wicked and will be Judged

When someone says they are a "Bible-believing church" but follow very little of the commands and principles in God's Word they are apostate.

We are living in the days of 2 Timothy 3 in which many if not most church attenders are not open to the truth from the Bible but want to claim they believe it.

How can anyone claim to be a believer in Christ when they don't know their Bibles intimately? It is not possible to obey what we don't know.

There is a deliberate deception when someone knows they don't know the Bible but uses parts of it sparingly to justify what they wish to believe.

If we say we believe the Bible then we must read it, pray for the Holy Spirit to open the meaning clearly, and obey what He tells us. Using parts of the Bible deceitfully to fool others will bring condemnation upon the one who does so.

Jeremiah 11:3
"You must tell them that this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: Cursed is the man who does not obey the words of this covenant,"

The passage in Jeremiah was referring to a command God gave to Isreal, but the principle holds true for all born-again believers. When God speaks we are to listen and obey.

Proverbs 20:17
"Bread gained by deceit is sweet to a man, but afterward his mouth will be full of gravel."

Those who attempt to gain honor and respect through deceptive means, crooked words, and intimidation will see the chastisement of the Lord.